The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast indicating widespread thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across several parts of the country from Monday through Wednesday, with a strong warning of possible flash flooding in vulnerable areas.
According to the three-day weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet predicted thunderstorms with moderate rains on Monday morning across parts of Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, and Katsina States in the northern region.
“The rest of the northern states are expected to remain sunny with patches of clouds,” the agency stated. “However, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains are anticipated later in the day across Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba States.”
NiMet highlighted a significant risk of flash floods in parts of Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano States during this period.
In the central region, cloudy skies are forecast in the morning, with light to moderate rainfall expected in parts of Niger, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, and Nasarawa States. Showers are expected to intensify in Plateau, Nasarawa, FCT, Kogi, Benue, and Niger later in the day. Plateau State, in particular, is flagged for a high likelihood of flash flooding.
For the southern region, morning clouds will give way to light to moderate rain in the afternoon and evening across Ondo, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
Tuesday Weather Outlook
By Tuesday, the northern region is expected to see sunny intervals with scattered clouds, while morning thunderstorms and rains are anticipated over Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano States. In the evening, more storms are expected across Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kebbi States.
In the central region, morning rainfall is forecast across Niger, Benue, FCT, Kogi, Plateau, and Nasarawa States. This will be followed by moderate rainfall later in the day over Plateau, Niger, FCT, Kwara, Kogi, and Nasarawa.
Southern states will begin the day with cloudy skies and light rain in parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, followed by widespread rainfall across Abia, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States by afternoon and evening.
Wednesday Forecast
NiMet projects sunny skies with patches of clouds in the northern region on Wednesday morning, but thunderstorms and moderate rains are expected over Kaduna, Kebbi, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina. Later in the day, rains will extend to Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, and more parts of the northwest and northeast.
The central region is also expected to witness cloudy conditions in the morning with rain over Plateau, Niger, FCT, and Nasarawa, while moderate showers will continue into the afternoon and evening across Benue and surrounding states.
In the southern region, morning showers are likely in Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River, with heavier rains anticipated later in Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
Public Safety Advisory
NiMet has advised residents in high-risk areas to prepare for possible flash floods by activating local emergency response systems. The agency cautioned against driving through flooded roads and urged the public to stay indoors during heavy rainfall.
“Secure loose objects to avoid damage during strong winds, unplug electrical appliances during thunderstorms, and avoid taking shelter under trees,” the statement warned.
Airline operators were reminded to obtain detailed, airport-specific weather reports for safe flight planning, while the public was encouraged to stay updated through NiMet’s official website: www.nimet.gov.ng.
As weather patterns continue to shift, NiMet emphasized the importance of vigilance and preparedness to minimize risks associated with severe weather events.
Comments